Monday, December 28, 2009


International Christian Hospice Newsletter October to December 2009
Christmas blessings to you in honor of our Savior Jesus Christ… Immanuel… God with us!
Thank you, everyone, for your love, support and prayers as we have completed our 6th year of service to God. We desire to give Him the praise for what He has done and for what He has in store for the future!
Would you like to join us in ministry here or abroad this coming year? Help is needed on Mission Teams and in administrative/organizational work. Please contact us by email or phone.
October teturn to Honduras:
Thank you for your prayers for Ron and Don Smith as they experienced a very fruitful and safe time in Honduras. God went before them in preparing the way for several important meetings. Plans were made with our ICH Central American Director, Pastor Francisco Ilias and Central American Director of Volunteers, Lourdes Arguetta, for teams returning to Honduras in 2010. They met with key leaders of many churches, the Evangelical Hospital and Project Aldea Global to continue prayer and dialog about expansion of ICH in Central America. During their time in Honduras the political situation remained uncertain but order is returning. They witnessed that God is empowering the Honduran believers and current government leaders to stand firm against the unconstitutional dictatorship President Zaleya attempted to establish last June. They heard many testimonies of prayer and spiritual revivals occurring in towns and villages throughout the country in spite of the increasingly desperate economical times they are living in. God’s mighty hand is continuing His purpose through His people there and His purpose for ICH bringing hope and peace even in uncertain times. The latest news is of a peaceful election on November 29th and a new President who begins his term in January. Pray for this man and this nation to remain a democratic nation with strong spiritual freedom.
November : - Global Missions Health Conference in Louisville, Kentucky
-ICH Team Conference Day in Lexington, S.C.
“Every year it just gets better!” We agree that this Louisville conference week has become a highlight of our year! We were honored to rub shoulders with thousands of people serving Christ through health care ministries from all over the world. ICH was among hundreds of exhibitors and we thank our four ICH team leaders and Sean Steiner from Abby Road Hospice who attended with us and helped to man our booth. God’s presence was felt and He reminded us all as we listened to powerful speakers and fellow missionaries that, " HE IS ALIVE AND ACTIVELY CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE HANDS OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS AROUND THE WORLD"!





The ICH Team is growing, Praise God! Saturday, November 21, we had a great day of planning, sharing and prayer at Lexington Baptist Church. We thank the twelve people, representing four churches, who gathered with us because they share the same vision for taking the good news of hope in Christ around the world. We are seeing the reality of the dream God gave us for multiplying teams of ICH trainers to be prepared to move through open doors of opportunity. Please continue to pray for these and many more folks to join ICH in short or long-term ministry.
December: Dominican Republic Mission trip Ron and Susan were accompanied by four team members for ten days of ministry. It was a privilege to offer ICH training seminars to over 200 people, in churches, an AIDs treatment clinic and mission training center located in five districts of the Dominican Republic. Many testimonies were given like the woman who stood and told us about her mother’s recent illness and death. She shared with the group that the teaching we gave was just what she had experienced and she wished she had known before what to expect and what to do. One Pastor shared with the group that the ICH information is powerful and necessary for his church members because right now they know many people in their town who are sick and dying. He expressed his desire for more training and issued an invitation to speak to 200 additional Pastors from many denominations. Thank you to our Nazarene friends for opening this huge door where the need is so great. Thanks also to those who are providing medical care to over 3,000 people at the IDEV AIDs Clinic. We pray that our teaching about how to minister to people with life-threatening illnesses and grief will reflect the compassionate heart of God to those they touch daily.
On Sunday we were refreshed and ministered to in a worship service lead by our missionary friend Dr. Francisco Sabado. He and his wife, Dr. Diane, are currently caring for patients in need of palliative and hospice care in the home setting. We will never forget the surprise “Christmas Caroling” we received the evening before we left. We opened our front door when we heard Caribbean style drums, tambourines and percussion instruments wishing us “Felice Navidad”. This group of ten friends from church danced and sang their way into the house and then we served cookies and cokes to complete the celebration. Unfortunately we had to decline the tradition of joining them to move on from home to home singing then gathering more people along the way all night long.
What’s ahead in 2010?
January: Ron and Susan will be traveling to Ecuador to visit with a Hospice Mission currently active in Quito. They hope to learn how hospice is meeting needs and reaching both home care patients and in-patients. Please pray!
February: Ron and Susan will be ministering in Honduras. A team from Lexington Baptist Church will join them to lead a week of Hospice training seminars. Please pray!
Spring Please pray for ministry plans that are pending. We need God’s guidance and discernment as we consider the direction of ICH in two areas: returning for follow-up to countries where current ICH ministry is being done and expanding into new countries from which we are receiving a growing number of invitations. Please pray also for financial resources so that ICH can continue to take the message of hope and comfort in Christ to people who are dying around the world!
As we come to the end of 2009 and look forward to the new beginning in 2010 may God’s Word speak from His heart to yours!
Psalm 119:29-31(NLT) “Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in the heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation…your laws remain true to this day, for everything serves your plan. “
Serving Him with you,
Ron and Susan Naish intlchristianhospice@yahoo.com 803-781-0656
Tax deductible Donations received at: ICH 145 Chillingham Rd. Irmo, S.C. 29063

Friday, November 6, 2009


News from ICH missionary to South Africa LaVerne Busbee
LaVerne has written some great news of God’s work in South Africa! Recently two ladies made decisions for Christ because LaVerne is faithfully ministering to the sick and dying. She wrote of the funeral she attended which left several orphaned children. The Pastors sometimes performs 3 funerals a day because of AIDs. Many of the orphaned children come to the Center where she


teaches Bible lessons and offer a midday meal. LaVerne is also giving Hospice training at the Center to volunteers in the Home Based Care. These ladies proudly wear their aprons as they work alongside LaVern visiting and demonstrating Christ’s love in the villages. It is through these home visits and hands-on care that God is opening many more hearts to the Gospel of peace and hope amidst the ever present toll AIDs is taking on the lives of the young and the old. Please pray for LaVern as she ministers with ICH.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009





Newsletter July-September 2009
International Christian Hospice (ICH)


Dear family and friends,

Thank you for your prayers and understanding about the recent email scam against us. It was distressing to experience someone falsely impersonating us as being stranded in England and needing funds then pirating away our complete contact list. Thankfully we still had access to our old email through Bellsouth so we could alert most of you. Please note this new email address which will now be our primary contact place at intlchristianhospice@yahoo.com. No one is immune to these sorts of “bumps in the road” but God was not surprised nor was His plan thwarted for us and ICH. We are trusting in Him as we press on with the work He has given us of taking hope and comfort in Christ to the world!
July and August What is happening in Honduras and Guatemala?
Proverbs 16:9 “We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps.” Most of you are aware of the unstable political situation in Honduras since President Zelaya was removed and replaced by Micheletti in early July. Through phone conversations and emails we have stayed in touch with missionary and national friends in Honduras. They all are OK but everyone is feeling the impact of limited travel, decreased supply and higher prices of goods, uncertainty about the future of their democracy and freedom. It was a difficult decision to cancel our travel taking one of our teams to Honduras this summer. We continue to ask for prayer for this country, its’ government, the believers and particularly those who are doing and receiving Christian Hospice care. We thank God for the many ICH trained volunteers, Pastors and leaders who now are continuing the work to bring hope in Christ especially when the circumstances around look grim. Ron with Don Smith, a Team Leader from Lexington, S.C. will be traveling to Honduras in October to encourage our friends and view the situation making plans for our return to Central America in January. Please pray for these dear folks and for God’s direction for ICH ministry in this region.
Our thanks to the 8 members of our Guatemala Team from Biltmore Baptist Church. They joined us in ministry in the Hospital Cristiano Santa Fe about 45 minutes from Matzatenango.
It was an amazing week and we saw God’s hand everywhere we turned. We worked along side Dr. Sergio Castillo and his wife Veronica who serve the poor among their own people offering health care and God’s love. As Dr. Sergio says, “We do not only heal the body but the spirit also, in Jesus’ name.” During our 10 days of ministry there were 8 adults and 200 children who received Christ. Our team offered pre and post-op care for surgical patients, vision screening and fitting of glasses for over 100 people, a fresh coat of paint at another clinic site, VBS daily with over 200 children attending from the surrounding villages, and Christian Hospice training or Pastors, health care workers and
church volunteers. The team had several opportunities to go into homes to visit and minister personally to individual families. One day Dr. Sergio introduced us to Bayron, Lucianna and their 3 sons. Bayron has been one of his patients and now is dying of end stage liver disease at the age of 39. Because of his addiction to alcohol his family has experienced many crisis, loss of job and home, and now Bayron is beyond medical help. His days are spent mostly sleeping, fighting high fevers, some mental confusion and eating very little. Lucianna tends a small store out of the front room of their small rental home to keep them going. They have had problems with their oldest teenaged son rebelling and staying out of the home until late at night. Three team members, Yesinia, Teresa and Terry, joined with us to visit their home one afternoon. Everyone was home and we had a precious time of listening to them talk about their lives and also sharing the good news of hope and peace through Christ.
That day we knelt with Bayron, Lucianna, and the 2 older sons as they decided to follow Jesus. Joy and tears marked a new beginning and Ron encouraged Bayron with a reminder that he now has the opportunity to “finish well” leaving a legacy of faith for his sons rather than hopelessness and failure. The next day we returned for a follow-up visit and heard Bayron and Lucianna testify to the changes they were already experiencing as God was taking their fears, anxiety and anger and replacing it with peace and a harmony they had not experienced in their home before. We also were able to introduce a local Pastor and his wife, who had received ICH training, to them that day and left them visiting together. Recently we received an email from Yesinia, our young Guatemalan seminary student, translator and friend. She had spoken by phone with Lucianna who happily reports although Bayron’s condition remains weak and unchanged he has had no alcohol since he gave his life to Christ. She also says that their son is staying home after school and has a new respect for them that makes them very proud. We stand in awe of God’s transforming power and feel so privileged to carry the message of His redeeming love around the world through the ministry of International Christian Hospice.

What is happening in South Africa?

LaVern Busbee is now living and working in an area of small villages about 4 hours north of Johannesburg. She is spending her time ministering to AIDs families and orphans. Part of her responsibilities include helping with care of children, many who are HIV positive. She assists and provides training to home health workers traveling the region and going into homes providing Christian hospice care. Please pray for LaVerne as she organizes and leads in establishing home-based hospice care and finds opportunities to share Jesus’ love with the dying.

September : Organizational expansion opportunities are in the works!

ICH is in the early stages of sharing the common goal of serving the dying of northern Nicaragua with a mission agency Vision Nicaragua. This organization has worked in Nicaragua for several years developing a 10 acre multifunctional center which provides jobs, medical clinic care and spiritual training. Nearby, in one small village of 500 people, over 50 men are currently dying of renal failure caused by exposure to chemicals used in sugar cane farming. This situation is replicated throughout this region. Last year Vision Nicaragua hosted us as we gave our ICH training seminar and 45 Pastors, church leaders and laypeople from the area attended,

many who are infected or are widowed. The personal stories they shared with us opened our eyes to the reality of life and death they face every day. We asked ourselves how can we more effectively assist these people? As God has led, the leaders of Vision Nicaragua approached us about the possibility of planning and building our first Christian Hospice center which could provide hospice training, clinical outpatient monitoring, family support as well as inpatient care for terminal patients at this center. Please pray along with us for God’s timing and guidance as we consider this ministry opportunity with Vision Nicaragua over the coming months
It was a great time of fellowship and sharing about ICH as we attended Global Impact Celebration at Biltmore Baptist Church. Thank you to all who stopped by our booth and also the Connect Group for your support and welcome. We pray that God will continue to confirm His call in people’s hearts for service, prayer and support of missions around the world.
Prayer needs coming up
October Pray for Ron and Don Smith, team leader from Lexington, S.C. as they travel and work in Honduras.
November Global Medical Missions annual conference in Louisville, Ky. during which we will have a booth in the expo center. Several ICH volunteers will be attending and manning the booth with us. Pray for safety in travel and for the contacts that God has for us to make at the conference with people interested in the ministry.
December Travel and ministry with teams joining us in Dominican Republic. Plans are being made to work with the medical staff at an AIDs clinic and to offer training seminars to a large Pastor’s association. Please pray for the necessary communication, planning and preparations over the next few weeks.

2010

  • Pray for God’s leadership in as we consider ministry work in the following countries next year: Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Nepal, Ukraine and Moldova.
  • Pray that people will join us in short or long term ministry.
  • Pray for financial provision for the work God has in store.
  • Pray with us that our faithful God will be glorified in all that is done in His name through



International Christian Hospice.
Serving Him with you,


Ron and Susan




Tax deductible donations can be sent to:
International Christian Hospice 145 Chillingham Rd. Irmo, S.C. 29063
Email contact: intlchristianhospice@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

News Letter International Christian Hospice June 2009
(ICH is now a nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible)
Greetings and blessings to all of you! God has given us an awesome spring! He has been faithful to carry out His plan for our lives and for International Christian Hospice. All we have to do is be obedient and show up. He does the rest!
We would love to introduce you to some of the wonderful people we met in Moldova and Ukraine in April. We had the honor of staying in the home of a lovely, young family in the town of Vinnitsa, Ukraine. The Pochapsky family, Vova, Tanya and their three girls (number 4 is on the way), hosted us and introduced us to Ukrainian life, language, food and culture. Tanya is a wonderful cook! Our favorite dish was Borsht, a savory vegetable soup featuring home grown beets. Beets are a very important and versatile crop of Eastern Europe from which they get all of their sugar (it isn’t red, but light tan granules). From their front yard you can smell the aroma wafting up the hillside from the chocolate factory. We knew immediately that we love this country!
Vova, who speaks fluent Russian, Ukrainian and English, was our translator as he took us to meetings with local believers. Vova’s large extended family, as well as many of the other Christians who survived the Soviet occupation, have a powerful, unwavering faith in God. He shared personal stories of God’s unfailing presence in the face of persecution and hardships that we can only imagine. We were humbled to celebrate our Savior’s resurrection as we worshipped shoulder-to-shoulder with our new friends. Thanks to several native Russian speakers from Columbia, S.C. we arrived with all our training material ready to share. It was a great honor to introduce them to Christian Hospice ministry. The concept of going out into the communities with a ministry of care and comfort in Christ will give them a practical avenue to share the gospel. Having lived through an era of suppression and fear they are ready to learn and exercise their freedom of faith. God’s timing for bringing us here was perfect as always!
Our train travel in Eastern Europe definitely merits a few lines of description. This mode of transportation is the most popular, comfortable and economic. We had two opportunities for adventure as we joined Russians, Ukrainians and Moldovans on the Moscow train. Vova waved goodbye from the platform through the billowing smoke as we began our 10 hour trip from Vinnitsa, Ukraine to Chisinau, Moldova. This leg of our travel was in the daytime and we probably annoyed our Russian cabin mates (4 person bunk/bench cabins) leaning over them to watch the beautiful countryside glide by. So far our Russian language skills included “hello, please, thank you and God bless you.” Of course, Ron also utilized the word “Uaz”, in our mostly sign language conversations. Uaz is the name of a classic Russian-made jeep seen mostly on very muddy roads in villages. At one point, to his delight, he even got to examine Vova’s father’s Uaz and sit behind the wheel. 90% of Ukraine is rich black soil, the envy of most surrounding countries. During the past century, Germany and Russia hauled train car loads of soil out of Ukraine. It is considered the “breadbasket of Eastern Europe”. We soaked in the early, spring green of the vast agricultural fields, blossoming fruit trees and flowers. At the border crossing into Moldova, we remained in our cabin. We submitted our passport for examination to the officers who stood in our cabin doorway and after more sign language, nods and smiles we were cleared to continue our journey. One necessary activity during our travel was a trip to the restroom. At the end of the car was the facility including fresh air and a view. Thankfully, handholds are provided to compensate for the rhythmic sway of the train. Upon pushing levers, both sink and toilet drains open and empty onto the tracks passing beneath. We had been puzzled as to why the restroom was locked during the frequent station stops. Mystery solved!
Moldova is a small country between Ukraine and Romania, about the size of Massachusetts. Chisinau is the large , capital city. We had a wonderful week of ministry teaching in the Moldova Bible Seminary. This is the only school in Moldova providing a three year program of Biblical education for Pastors, Educators and church leaders. We considered it an honor to be invited to share a week of Christian Hospice training with the second year students. These dedicated young adults are required to study challenging subjects such as theology, Biblical history and hermeneutics, not in their native Romanian tongue, but all classes are in English. An interesting fact that was shared with us was that Moldova has the highest number of missionaries going out to other former soviet countries. Currently student teams are preparing to go to Kyrgyzstan. The experience of death and grief has no geographic boundary. These students will be equipped with a better understanding of this difficult time and with skills in sharing Christ’s love when people are open to hearing there is hope beyond the grave.
During this week we gave our ICH training also in the evening to other local Christians. God connected us with Rodica Cerbova, a national, who is closely connected to the government medical care system in Moldova. She and her husband, who have planted and pastor a new evangelical church in a village, live to serve their own people. We spent a day with her visiting a local hospital and discussing her connections with influential people. As we prayed together with Rodica, all of us sensed a strong bond of desire to bring Christian Hospice care into the medical system and homes of the people of Moldova. God gave each of us a confidence and excitement for His plan for future partnering together.
Another 14 hour train trip, this time at night, returned us back across the border to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. God blessed us with a great time of meetings with missionaries and nationals in the setting of one of the oldest, classic cities of Europe. Some of the world’s most beautiful art and music come to us from Kiev. We also saw vividly the spiritual darkness and need for hope and peace found only through Christ. All forms of gambling, unrestricted alcohol and prostitution are legal in all of Eastern Europe. God connected us with some very strong believing churches and seminaries where He is raising up nationals with the message of Truth that sets all men free. He has shown us many doors of hospice opportunities and we know He is leading us to return for future ministry.
The months of May and June have been filled with stateside ministry development and team training. Our first Board of Directors meeting was held in Columbia, S.C. and we are praising God for those who are joining us with fresh vision in planning the direction for the future. He has raised up 2 teams who are planning to accompany us to Central America In July and August. In July we will be sending out our first missionary to South Africa, La Verne Busbee. She will be opening up Christian hospice care with AIDs orphans, widows and families in villages north of Johannesburg for her first term of one year.
As you can see we have much to praise God for, much for which to continue to trust Him and much we are believing Him for in the future. Thank you once again for your prayers, your giving and believing with us that International Christian Hospice can bring hope and comfort to the dying around the world!
Praises
*Ukrainian and Moldovan believers now equipped with ICH ministry-Open doors for future
* Teams joining us for ministry in July and August
*First Board of Directors meeting successful
Prayers

*Safe and healthy travel for Ron and Susan for 2 months of international ministry ahead
*Preparation, travel and ministry for teams and people in Guatemala and Honduras
*Political situation in Honduras, national Christians
*Financial, staffing and training development needs of ICH
Serving our Lord with you,
Ron and Susan Naish, Directors
All Donations Are Tax Deductible mailed to our office at:
International Christian Hospice 145 Chillingham Rd. Irmo, S.C. 29063

Saturday, March 28, 2009

International Christian Hospice Newsletter
January -March 2009

“…and now, O Lord, give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching Your word…They testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them.” Acts 4:29, 33

Dear Family and Friends,

God has chosen to place all of us in an exciting and crucial time of history! Many people today are tempted to live in doubt, fear and depression over the world’s current financial and political situation. In Acts we read about the first century church which faced a very similar world, if not a worse. We read the response of believers in the above verse which was to pray, asking God for greater boldness and then they powerfully testified. They made a choice, unaffected by finances, society or the current political system. As a result they experienced “God’s great blessing”. Many Christians today are mistakenly looking for security in “health, wealth and prosperity” rather than something much greater that God has in mind. What were the great blessings of God these first century believers experienced? We find the answer as the story unfolds that thousands came to faith in Christ and the first century Church began to spread world-wide. Will we take this challenge despite what we see going on around us to pray for great boldness to testify powerfully the message of hope and resurrection to a dying world? International Christian Hospice chooses to take this challenge! Even in light of the difficulties of our times and the challenges we face in ministry Christ and His love is transforming lives of people who are facing death and families who are grieving. Thank you, family and friends, for your bold prayers on our behalf! We know that you are praying because God is showing us daily His hand at work in ICH. We believe that what is being accomplished through ICH around the world is “God’s great blessing.”

We don’t want you to miss any of the exciting things God has been doing. We will try to condense these three busy months and give you the highlights.

January-Honduras and Stateside

  • · Wednesday night ICH training as 10 week series at Lexington Baptist Church, S.C. Thanks to Chuck McCurry, Team Leader, as facilitator and other team members at LBC for teaching.

Honduras

  • · Meetings to encourage our Honduran ICH workers and plans made for opening work in 4 new locations
  • · Home ministry with 2 people who were dying and their families
  • · Meeting with the DeBose who direct Grace Life Ministries and Seminary
  • · Meetings with the Director of Evangelical Hospital, Dr. Maritinez and also Dr. Aguillar, staff MD. Discussion continues about partnering for a future ICH Care and Training Center in Sequatepeque.
  • · Looking at potential property and buildings for ICH Care and Training Center which adjoins the hospital property.
  • · Meeting with Chet Thomas, Director of Aldea Global, a national organization with 600 community health promoters who are being trained in Christian Hospice care.

  • · Met with a new Russian friend, Anya, who is a missionary to Honduras. She is now also helping us with translation work for our upcoming trip to Ukraine.

  • · Traveled approx.1,200 miles in Honduras in our faithful Ford Escape. Preparation for return in August with LBC team.



    February- Dominican Republic and Stateside
  • · Translation of ICH written materials into Russian began by friends in Columbia, S.C. Special thanks to Irina Ponomarev, Ludmilla Falter, and others.
  • · Meetings with Drs. Francisco and Diane Sabado in Santo Domingo, DR
  • · Meeting with staff at Virology Clinic in DR working with over 1,000 people with HIV and AIDS. Plans made for future additional training.
  • · Team members Dr. Arleen Jennings and Linda Craig, RN joined us in ministry in DR.
  • · Participated in 2 medical outreach clinics to Haitian refugees.
  • · Presented 3 ICH training seminars in DR.
  • · Meeting with Director of Nazarene church of DR for future hospice training.


    March
  • · Praise God! We received our official confirmation from the IRS of our non-profit status! This has been a long process begun last March and all donations, written to International Christian Hospice (ICH) are now tax deductible.
  • · Preparation for ministry trip in April to Ukraine and Moldova. Final work on material preparation and translation.
  • · Meeting in Knoxville, Tn. with Dr. Martinez and wife Norma who are visiting in the US. Discussion and prayer continues for possible partnership with Evangelical Hospital in Sequatepeque, Honduras.
  • · Welcome to Lavern Busbee who will be accompanying us to Moldova in April for field training. Lavern will be going to South Africa later this year as an ICH representative working with AIDS orphans and families.
  • · Planning meeting at Biltmore Baptist Church for team going with us to Guatemala in July.
  • · Safe arrival of medical equipment via container to Honduras. Thanks to Dr. Mario Fu and Team Co-ordinator Lourdes Arguita for pick up and delivery to Ever, our young paraplegic friend. Ever continues to decline but remains strong in his trust in God. Thanks for your prayers and donations!



    We know that you have been praying because we have seen God’s hand at work in taking the ministry forward. New doors are opening for International Christian Hospice to fulfill our mission. Please continue to pray!




    Prayer Needs
  • · Preparation (for us and those we will minister to), travel and ministry in Ukraine and Moldova in April
  • · Discernment for growth and answering requests for ICH in many new countries
  • · Wisdom for God’s timing and plan for partnering with Evangelical Hospital in Honduras for a Care and Training Center
  • · ICH annual Board meeting in May in Columbia, S.C.
  • · Financial needs for continued ministry


    We are honored to serve Christ and to represent you in His name. God has led us in founding International Christian Hospice and walking beside Him in faith for the past 5 years. Please partner with us in prayer and giving so that people around the world will have the opportunity for peace and comfort in Christ as they face eternity.


    Serving Him together,

    Ron and Susan


    Tax deductible donations can be made to: International Christian Hospice
    145 Chillingham Rd.
    Irmo, S.C. 29063

    Contact Information: ronnaish@bellsouth.net
    ichospice@gmail.com
    http://www.ichospice.org/
    http://www.ichospice.blogspot.com/